Another Indian-origin doctor dies of Covid-19 in UK

Manjeet Singh Riyat, a medical consultant who was ‘hugely respected and loved’ by colleagues and patients in Derbyshire, died on Monday after being infected by a coronavirus, making him the most recent Indian-origin medical professional to fall victim to the virus.

Riyat, who got his medical qualifications from the University of Leicester in 1992, was the first Sikh accident and emergency consultant within the National Health Service, and was effective in building the emergency medical service in Derbyshire, his hospital trust said.

Gavin Boyle, chief executive of the hospital, said: “I want to pay tribute to Manjeet Riyat, who has sadly passed away. He was an amazingly charming person, and he was loved. Manjeet knew many people here within the hospital; we are going to all miss him immensely”.

Riyat’s colleague, Susie Hewitt, said: “In 2003, Manjeet became one among four consultants in the medical speciality at the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary...Manjeet was enormously valued and far loved as a colleague, supervisor and mentor”.

“Manjeet’s passion for teaching and contribution to medical education was constant during his career, he had many skills, but was most comfortable as a medical speciality consultant”, she added. Riyat has left behind his wife and two sons.

Earlier this month, cardiothoracic surgeon Jitendra Kumar Rathod, who gained his qualifications in India and moved to the United Kingdom, died in Wales. The Cardiff and Vale University Health Board described him as ‘a greatly respected doctor and colleague’.

Riyat, Rathod and east Sussex-based pharmacist Pooja Sharma are among over 50 non-white medical professionals who have died within the coronavirus pandemic. Frontline medical staff treating patients includes many Indian origin doctors and nurses.

Primary hospital data suggests that minority non-white people within the UK constitute 35 per cent among those in critical care hospitals, prompting an inquiry.